It looks like something you'd see on a wall at GOMA, but it's actually an essential part of the miracle of life ... as seen through a microscope at QUT.
Researcher Maria Lourdes Muerza-Casante's extreme close-up of an umbilical cord and placenta cells is just one of the amazing images submitted for the 2015 QUT Nikon Small World Competition.
The competition, which showcases the beauty and complexity of life as seen under the light microscope, attracted 67 entries from QUT staff and students, and Brisbane senior high school students.
The judging panel now has to narrow the field down to a small group of finalist images, which will be displayed on the big screen at The Cube at QUT on August 14 - the night that the winner is announced.
The public can also vote online for a favourite image to win the 2015 People's Choice Award.
The winning QUT staff member or student will receive $1,000 cash. Another $250 will go to the runner-up and $250 to the People's Choice winner.
The high school winners will receive science equipment and a behind-the scenes tour of QUT's science laboratories for their school.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au
